Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H1/00—Contacts
  • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
  • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
  • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
  • H01H1/2041—Rotating bridge
  • H01H1/2058—Rotating bridge being assembled in a cassette, which can be placed as a complete unit into a circuit breaker
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
  • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
  • H01H71/50—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release
  • H01H71/52—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever
  • H01H71/522—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever comprising a cradle-mechanism
  • H01H71/525—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever comprising a cradle-mechanism comprising a toggle between cradle and contact arm and mechanism spring acting between handle and toggle knee
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
  • H01H73/02—Details
  • H01H73/04—Contacts
  • H01H73/045—Bridging contacts

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to circuit interrupters, and more particularly to circuit interrupter operating mechanisms.
• Circuit interrupter operating mechanisms are used to manually control the opening and closing of movable contact structures within circuit interrupters.
• operating mechanisms in response to a trip signal, for example, from an actuator device, will rapidly open the movable contact structure and interrupt the circuit.
• a trip signal for example, from an actuator device
• operating mechanisms employ powerful springs and linkage arrangements. The spring energy provides a high output force to the separable contacts.
• multiple contacts each disposed within a cassette, are arranged within a circuit breaker system for protection of individual phases of current.
• the operating mechanism is positioned over one of the cassettes and generally connected to all of the cassettes in the system. Because of the close position between each of the cassettes, and between each cassette and the operating mechanism, the space available for movable components is minimal. It would be desirable to maximize the available space to reduce friction between movable components within the operating mechanism.
• circuit breaker arrangements are provided for 3 -pole and
• An operating mechanism for controlling and tripping a separable contact structure arranged in a protected circuit is provided by the present invention.
• the separable contact structure is movable between a first and second position. The first position permits current to flow through the protected circuit and the second position prohibits current from flowing through the circuit.
• the mechanism includes a frame, a drive member pivotally coupled to the frame, a spring pivotally connecting the drive member to a drive connector, an upper link pivotally seated on the drive connector, a lower link member pivotally coupled to the drive connector, a crank member pivotally coupled to the lower link member for interfacing the separable contact structure, and a cradle member pivotally secured to the frame and pivotally securing the upper link.
• the cradle member is configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, which is displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit.
• the mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position.
• spacers are operatively positioned between movable members, and protrusions are operatively formed on the enclosure.
• the spacers and protrusions serve to widen the stances of the operating mechanism for force distribution purposes, and also to minimize friction between movable components.
• Figure 1 is an isometric view of a molded case circuit breaker employing an operating mechanism embodied by the present invention
• Figure 2 is an exploded view of the circuit breaker of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of a rotary contact structure and operating mechanism embodied by the present invention in the "off position;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the rotary contact structure and operating mechanism of Figure 3 in the "on" position;
• Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the rotary contact structure and operating mechanism of Figures 3 and 4 in the "tripped" position;
• Figure 6 is an isometric view of the operating mechanism
• Figure 7 is a partially exploded view of the operating mechanism
• Figure 8 is another partially exploded view of the operating mechanism
• Figure 9 is an exploded view of a pair of mechanism springs and associated linkage components within the operating mechanism
• Figure 10 is an isometric and exploded view of linkage components within the operating mechanism
• Figure 1 1 is a front, isometric, and partially exploded isometric views of a linkage component within the operating mechanism;
• Figure 12 is a front, isometric, and partially exploded isometric views of linkage components within the operating mechanism
• Figures 13 depicts isometric views of the opposing sides of a cassette employed within the circuit interrupter
• Figure 14 is a front view of the cassette and the operating mechanism positioned thereon.
• Figure 15 is a partial front view of the cassette and the operating mechanism positioned thereon.
• Circuit breaker 20 generally includes a molded case having a top cover 22 attached to a mid cover 24 coupled to a base 26.
• An opening 28, formed generally centrally within top cover 22, is positioned to mate with a corresponding mid cover opening 30, which is accordingly aligned with opening 28 when mid cover 24 and top cover 22 are coupled to one another.
• Operating mechanism 38 is positioned and configured atop cassette 34, which is generally disposed intermediate to cassettes 32 and 36. Operating mechanism 38 operates substantially as described herein and as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial Numbers 09/196,706 (GE Docket Number 41 PR-7540) entitled "Circuit Breaker Mechanism for a Rotary Contact Assembly".
• a toggle handle 44 extends through openings 28 and 30 and allows for external operation of cassettes 32, 34 and 36. Examples of rotary contact structures that may be operated by operating mechanism 38 are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial Numbers 09/087,038 (GE Docket Number 41 PR-7500) and
• Cassettes 32, 34, 36 are typically formed of high strength plastic material and each include opposing sidewalls 46, 48. Sidewalls 46, 48 have an arcuate slot 52 positioned and configured to receive and allow the motion of cross pin 40 by action of operating mechanism 38.
• Rotary contact assembly 56 includes a line side contact strap 58 and load side contact strap 62 for connection with a power source and a protected circuit (not shown), respectively.
• Line side contact strap 58 includes a stationary contact 64 and load side contact strap 62 includes a stationary contact 66.
• Rotary contact assembly 56 further includes a movable contact arm 68 having a set of contacts 72 and 74 that mate with stationary contacts 64 and 66, respectively.
• toggle handle 44 is oriented between the "on” position and the “off position (typically by the release of mechanism springs within operating mechanism 38, described in greater detail herein).
• contacts 72 and 74 are separated from stationary contacts 64 and 66 by the action of operating mechanism 38, thereby preventing current from flowing through contact arm 68.
• operating mechanism 38 After operating mechanism 38 is in the "tripped” position, it must ultimately be returned to the "on” position for operation. This is effectuated by applying a reset force to move toggle handle 44 to a "reset” condition, which is beyond the "off position (i.e., further to the left of the "off position in Figure 3), and then back to the "on” position. This reset force must be high enough to overcome the mechanism springs, described herein.
• Contact arm 68 is mounted on a rotor structure 76 that houses one or more sets of contact springs (not shown). Contact arm 68 and rotor structure 76 pivot about a common center 78. Cross pin 40 interfaces through an opening 82 within rotor structure 76 generally to cause contact arm 68 to be moved from the "on", “off and “tripped” position.
• Operating mechanism 38 has operating mechanism side frames 86 configured and positioned to straddle sidewalls 46, 48 of cassette 34 ( Figure 2).
• Toggle handle 44 ( Figure 2) is rigidly interconnected with a drive member or handle yoke 88.
• Handle yoke 88 includes opposing side portions 89. Each side portion 89 includes an extension 91 at to the top of side portion 89, and a U-shaped portion 92 at the bottom portion of each side portion 89.
• U-shaped portions 92 are rotatably positioned on a pair of bearing portions 94 protruding outwardly from side frames 86. Bearing portions 94 are configured to retain handle yoke 88, for example, with a securement washer.
• Handle yoke 88 further includes a roller pin 1 14 extending between extensions 91.
• Handle yoke 88 is connected to a set of powerful mechanism springs 96 by a spring anchor 98, which is generally supported within a pair of openings 102 in handle yoke 88 and arranged through a complementary set of openings 104 on the top portion of mechanism springs 96.
• the bottom portion of mechanism springs 96 include a pair of openings 206.
• a drive connector 201 operative couples mechanism springs 96 to other operating mechanism components.
• Drive connector 201 comprises a pin 202 disposed through openings 206, a set of side tubes 203 arranged on pin 202 adjacent to the outside surface of the bottom portion of mechanism springs 96, and a central tube 204 arranged on pin 202 between the inside surfaces of the bottom portions of mechanism springs 96.
• Central tube 204 includes step portions at each end, generally configured to maintain a suitable distance between mechanism springs 96. While drive connector 201 is detailed herein as tubes 203, 204 and a pin 202, any means to connect the springs to the mechanism components are contemplated.
• a pair of cradles 106 are disposed adjacent to side frames 86 and pivot on a pin 108 disposed through an opening 112 approximately at the end of each cradle 106.
• Each cradle 106 includes an edge surface 107, an arm 122 depending downwardly, and a cradle latch surface 164 above arm 122.
• Edge surface 107 is positioned generally at the portion of cradle 106 in the range of contact with roller pin 114.
• the movement of each cradle 106 is guided by a rivet 116 disposed through an arcuate slot 1 18 within each side frame 86. Rivets 1 16 are disposed within an opening 117 on each the cradle 106.
• An arcuate slot 168 is positioned intermediate to opening 112 and opening 1 17 on each cradle 106.
• An opening 172 is positioned above slot 168.
• Primary latch 126 is positioned within side frame 86.
• Primary latch 126 includes a pair of side portions 128.
• Each side portion 128 includes a bent leg 124 at the lower portion thereof.
• Side portions 128 are interconnected by a central portion 132.
• a set of extensions 166 depend outwardly from central portion 132 positioned to align with cradle latch surfaces 164.
• Side portions 128 each include an opening 134 positioned so that primary latch 126 is rotatably disposed on a pin 136. Pin 136 is secured to each side frame 86.
• a set of upper side portions 156 are defined at the top end of side portions 128. Each upper side portion 156 has a primary latch surface 158.
• a secondary latch 138 is pivotally straddled over side frames 86.
• Secondary latch 138 includes a set of pins 142 disposed in a complementary pair of notches 144 on each side frame 86.
• Secondary latch 138 includes a pair of secondary latch trip tabs 146 that extend perpendicularly from operating mechanism 38 as to allow an interface with, for example, an actuator (not shown), to release the engagement between primary latch 126 and secondary latch 138 thereby causing operating mechanism 38 to move to the "tripped" position (e.g., as in Figure 5), described below.
• Secondary latch 138 includes a set of latch surfaces 162, that align with primary latch surfaces 158.
• Secondary latch 138 is biased in the clockwise direction due to the pulling forces of a spring 148.
• Spring 148 has a first end connected at an opening 152 upon secondary latch 138, and a second end connected at a frame cross pin 154 disposed between frames 86.
• a set of upper links 174 are connected to cradles 106.
• Upper links 174 generally have a right angle shape.
• Legs 175 (in a substantially horizontal configuration and Figures 8 and 10) of upper links 174 each have a cam portion 171 that interfaces a roller 173 disposed between frames 86.
• Legs 176 (in a substantially vertical configuration in Figures 8 and 10) of upper links 174 each have a pair of openings 182, 184 and a U-shaped portion 186 at the bottom end thereof . Opening 184 is intermediate to opening 182 and U-shaped portion 186.
• Upper links 174 connect to cradle 106 via a securement structure such as a rivet pin 188 disposed through opening 172 and opening 182, and a securement structure such as a rivet pin 191 disposed through slot 168 and opening 184.
• Rivet pins 188, 191 both attach to a connector 193 to secure each upper link 174 to each cradle 106.
• Each pin 188, 191 includes raised portions 189, 192, respectively. Raised portions 189, 192 are provided to maintain a space between each upper link 174 and each cradle 106. The space serves to reduce or eliminate friction between upper link 174 and cradle
• Upper links 174 are each interconnected with a lower link 194.
• U-shaped portion 186 of each upper link 174 is disposed in a complementary set of bearing washers 196.
• Bearing washers 196 are arranged on each side tube 203 between a first step portion 200 of side tube 203 and an opening 198 at one end of lower link 194.
• Bearing washers 196 are configured to include side walls 197 spaced apart sufficiently so that U-shaped portions 186 of upper links 174 fit in bearing washer 196.
• Each side tube 203 is configured to have a second step portion 201.
• Each second step portion 201 is disposed through openings
• each side tube 203 is a common interface point for upper link 174 (as pivotally seated within side walls 197 of bearing washer 196), lower link 194 and mechanism springs 96.
• each lower link 194 is interconnected with a crank 208 via a pivotal rivet 210 disposed through an opening 199 in lower link 194 and an opening 209 in crank 208.
• Each crank 208 pivots about a center 21 1.
• Crank 208 has an opening 212 where cross pin 40 (Figure 2) passes through into arcuate slot 52 of cassettes 32, 34 and 36 ( Figure 2) and a complementary set of arcuate slots 214 on each side frame 86 ( Figure 8).
• a spacer 234 is included on each pivotal rivet 210 between each lower link 194 and crank 208.
• Spacers 234 spread the force loading from lower links 194 to cranks 208 over a wider base, and also reduces friction between lower links 194 and cranks 208, thereby minimizing the likelihood of binding (e.g., when operating mechanism 38 is changed from the "off position to the "on” position manually or mechanically, or when operating mechanism 38 is changed from the "on” position to the “tripped” position of the release of primary latch 126 and secondary latch 138) .
• FIG. 13 views of both sidewalls 46 and 48 of cassette 34 are depicted.
• Sidewalls 46 and 48 include protrusions or bosses 224, 226 and 228 thereon. Bosses 224, 226 and 228 are attached to sidewalls 46, 48, or can be molded features on sidewalls 46, 48.
• cassette 34 is depicted and certain features are described herein because operating mechanism 38 straddles cassette 34, i.e., the central cassette, in circuit breaker 20. It is contemplated that the features may be incorporated in cassettes in other positions, and with or without operating mechanism 38 included thereon, for example, if it is beneficial from a manufacturing standpoint to include the features on all cassettes.
• side frames 86 of operating mechanism 38 are positioned over sidewall 46, 48 of cassette 34. Portions of the inside surfaces of side frames 86 contact bosses 224, 226 and 228, creating a space 232 between each sidewall 46, 48 and each side frame 86. Referring now also to Figure 15, space 232 allows lower links 194 to properly transmit motion to cranks 208 without binding or hindrance due to frictional interference from sidewalls 46, 48 or side frames 86.
• bosses 224, 226 and 228 widens the base of operating mechanism 38, allowing for force to be transmitted with increased stability. Accordingly, bosses 224, 226 and 228 should be dimensioned sufficiently large to allow clearance of links 194 without interfering with adjacent cassettes such as cassettes 32 and 36.
• toggle handle 44 is rotated to the left and mechanism springs 96, lower link 194 and crank 208 are positioned to maintain contact arm 68 so that movable contacts 72, 74 remain separated from stationary contacts 64, 66.
• Operating mechanism 38 becomes set in the "off position after a reset force properly aligns primary latch 126, secondary latch 138 and cradle
• secondary latch trip tab 146 has been displaced (e.g., by an actuator, not shown), and the interface between primary latch 126 and secondary latch 138 is released. Extensions 166 of primary latch 126 are disengaged from cradle latch surfaces 164, and cradles 106 is rotated clockwise about pin 108 (i.e., motion guided by rivet 116 in arcuate slot 118). The movement of cradle 106 transmits a force via rivets 188, 191 to upper link 174 (having cam surface 171) . After a short predetermined rotation, cam surface 171 of upper link 174 contacts roller 173.
• raised portions 189 and 192 maintain a suitable space between the surfaces of upper links 174 and cradles 106 to prevent friction therebetween.
• side walls 197 of bearing washers 196 ( Figure 11) maintain the position of upper link 174 on side tube 203 and minimize likelihood of binding (e.g., so as to prevent upper link 174 from shifting into springs 96 or into lower link 194).
• spacers 234 ( Figure 9 and 12) maintain the appropriate distance between lower links 194 and cranks 208 to prevent interference or friction therebetween or from side frames 86.
• Raised portions 189 and 192, sidewalls 197 of bearing washers 196, and spacers 234 are also suitable to widen the base of operating mechanism 38. This is particularly useful, for example, in an asymmetrical system, where the operating mechanism is disposed on one cassette in a four-pole system.

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• 2000
  • 2000-03-01 US US09/516,475 patent/US6346868B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2001
  • 2001-03-01 WO PCT/US2001/006629 patent/WO2001065584A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2001-03-01 CN CNB2005100543329A patent/CN100378894C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-03-01 CN CNB018011888A patent/CN100338709C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-03-01 EP EP01911215A patent/EP1177567B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-03-01 PL PL350652A patent/PL201408B1/pl not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-03-01 MX MXPA01011178A patent/MXPA01011178A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-09-20 US US09/682,567 patent/US6388547B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-20 US US09/682,568 patent/US6466117B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-20 US US09/682,566 patent/US6700467B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

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